Hooks Use One Big Inning to Top Cardinals 11-4

A controversial non-call and a couple tough catches at the fence that
went the wrong way contributed to a 10-run eighth inning for the Hooks
as the Springfield Cardinals (20-18, 50-58) fell 11-4 to Corpus Christi
(19-19, 51-56) in the four-game series finale on Tuesday night at
Hammons Field.

DECISIONS:W: RHP Nick Hernandez (1-1)
L: LHP Jacob Patterson (6-5)

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:– Corpus Christi had pulled within 4-2 of the Cardinals with a run
in the eighth inning on a two-out Abraham Toro RBI single. Two batters
later, Ronnie Dawson tied the game with a two-run triple. Both runs were
charged to RHP Mitchell Osnowitz. A batter later, it appeared Patterson
had ended the inning when Chuckie Robinson went around while trying to
check his swing, but both umpires ruled that Patterson did indeed check
in his swing, surprisingly allowing the inning to continue. RHP Connor
Jones relieved Patterson with the bases loaded but issued a walk on a
full count to Bryan De La Cruz, putting the Hooks ahead 5-4. The inning
nearly ended again one batter later on a fly ball to the wall in right,
but RF Johan Mieses couldn’t hang onto the ball and three more runs
crossed. Corpus Christi would score three more runs before the Cardinals
recorded the final out.

– Springfield broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh when 1B
Yariel Gonzalez singled home 2B Irving Lopez, who had tripled earlier in
the inning. That lead grew to 4-1 when RF Johan Mieses found a hole on
the right side for two more RBIs.

NOTABLES:– Cardinals relievers Osnowitz, Patterson and Jones combined to
allow 10 runs on eight hits and three walks in the eighth inning. They
were bookended by 2.0 scoreless innings from RHP Merandy Gonzalez and a
clean ninth from RHP Will Latcham.

– LHP Evan Kruczynski struck out seven over 5.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks.

– With losses on Tuesday by Tulsa and Arkansas, the Cardinals remain
tied for first place in the North with the Travelers. The Drillers
remain 1.0 game back.